I got into photography, because I wanted to take amazing portraits...

loganz wrote in post #10731770
what are your focal points? auto?

seems like the first image you were metering the bright background rather than the girl. esp at iso 200 1/2000... u could have been at iso 100.

3 and 4 are out of focus. set your focal point to center and focus on your subjects eye.

this is something i have to remember....good point

If you don't see there eyes, do i need a better camera or do i move in more??

I would like to recommend a beginning photography class at the local college. You will get lots of great information. If there was one close to me I'd be there.

My 2 cents. The color is nice and the exposure is good. Notice the difference in light on your subject in #1 and #2? Notice that wonderful streak in her hair in #2? It's that kind of light that makes for a striking portrait, #3 gets my vote as best lit and #4 is soft but well lit. One other note is to consider directing your models to drop their jaw. It's a completely different posture than closed, clenched, or smiling.

Woah, I can't believe this thread is still alive, I took these nearly 2 months ago. I've improved a bit since then, but learn new stuff each shoot.

Here is some of my recent work with the same two models:

*refer above*

much better lighting! ... that was fast!

holy 2 months? I looked back at my old stuff and my progression over 2 years is not as a big leap. I know its not the same gear when you first started but damn that's a great improvement. I'm sure its better than what I can produce currently. The only thing I can say is that #2 is smoothed out too much, you can see it in her toenails.

If you want to take portraits, put the face foremost in the frame. The backgrounds are overwhelming in these, even when blurred out, there is just too much that doesn't have to do with the person. Also portraits should not just be headshots. They need to tell us something important about the person.

Be careful with the liquify tool. When you liquify the model, you have to watch it's impact on the background.

I take it you didn't have the Elinchrom gear or the L glass on the first few. Is the 5DII new aswell? Great improvement.

#1 is probably best overall... will be a good photo if you use a flash. #2 the branch sticking out of her shoulders is a bit distracting #3 and 4 are out of focus and pop up flash is not flattering. can't wait for you to receive your flash! you'll have a lot of fun experimenting with it keep them coming!

georgia from jay hsiang studio

Jay Hsiang Studio

Los Angeles Wedding Photography

Engagement Photography

Destination Wedding Photography

great progress! gives me hope!

Great progression in such a short amount of time. What would you say made a bigger difference, new lens or new camera?

KristyT2i wrote in post #11213053
Great progression in such a short amount of time. What would you say made a bigger difference, new lens or new camera?

Neither camera nor lens. I mean, sure, I noticed some difference between the lenses, but I learned the fundamentals and since then have devoted all my attention to lighting. Lighting made a way bigger difference than anything else for my pictures.

Here's two of my latest pics:
*refer above*

I think the first two are good, you just need to light the subject. The second two hurt my eyes

But the more recent 4 shots are WAY better. Nice work!

What was your gear for the original shots posted?

theelectrician wrote in post #11213126
But the more recent 4 shots are WAY better. Nice work!

What was your gear for the original shots posted?

Initially used: 50 1.8 and 85 1.8